Monday, June 29, 2015

The Many Uses of Paper Clay

Recently, I have had students in my classes remark that they have either never heard of paper clay or had but didn't know how to use it. This is one reason to take the PMC Certification I class, as it introduces the many clay types to the student.

PMC Sheet clay is unique in itself as there is no other metal clay like it and can be used for many purposes. It is known as sheet clay and as paper clay. It comes in two shapes, rectangle as shown above and square. Both have the same amount of clay and are the same price. Choose the shape according to your intended use. Paper clay is very flexible, like paper, and doesn't dry out. Once opened, keep it stored in the plastic sheet it comes in, just so it doesn't become damaged or dirty. Cut it using scissors, a straight edge razor, or craft knife. It can also be cut using decorative paper hole punches.

It is listed on PMC Connection's website under PMC+ clay and is fired at the PMC + time and temperature. Paper clay can be folded and fired just as it is or attached to other clays including PMC3, PMC Flex, PMC Sterling, and the mixture of PMC 960. Fire the mixed clays at the higher temperature and time for PMC+, per the manufacture's recommended firing instructions.

When attaching the clay to itself or other clay use only a small amount of water. If using too much water, it melts into nothing. Clay paste is too thick to use.

Paper clay is great for weaving clay pieces together. The designs can be
varied by simply making the woven pieces different widths. The clay can be fired as is or attached to lump clay. Here are two samples of weaving paper clay.

Here is an example of using it for a hinge. The clay is thin so its best to double its thickness.

Here's an examples of using it as a decorative application and as prongs.

Other uses for paper clay are: creating a bezel setting (if doubled) and repairing a broken un-fired metal clay piece. Sometimes when repairing a broken lump clay piece it won't stay together. Use paper clay as a BAND-AID®. Attach the broken pieces together using PMC3 Paste, dry completely. Then on the back of the piece attach a small strip of PMC Sheet across the crack. Allow it to dry and then hide the paper clay by applying a thin layer of lump clay over the paper clay. The paper clay keeps the two pieces together as it is a solid piece.
I hope these examples spark your creativity and you all will try the PMC Sheet clay in the future. It's a must have in your inventory of clays. This is my last post for the Corner Stone Blog. I hope you all have learned and enjoyed my posts!

5 comments:

Hi Janet. Thanks for all the info in your blogs, love reading them and learning heaps ☺I would love to try sheet clay but don't have a kiln. Can it be torch fired and if yes, what would the firing time be? Thanks again, Dawn

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